Mobile inhaler and a container for using therewith

ABSTRACT

A mobile inhaler is provided and a container for using therewith. The mobile inhaler comprises: a mouthpiece comprising at least one inhaling opening; a body element connected to the mouthpiece and comprising a housing for holding a DC power source; a power conversion unit comprising an inverter operative to convert a DC voltage provided by a DC power source, into a higher AC voltage; a nebulizer comprising an ultrasonic vibrator and a mesh, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is activated by the AC voltage, and wherein the nebulizer is adapted to enable converting into aerosol droplets at least part of a liquid comprised in an enclosure, and the aerosol droplets to be directly inhaled from the mouthpiece; and an enclosure adapted to enable holding a liquid, and characterized in that it provides a connection to enable fluid transfer from the enclosure to the nebulizer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/770,735, filed Apr. 24, 2018, (pending) which is a national stageapplication under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No.PCT/IL2017/050402 (pending), filed Apr. 3, 2017. InternationalApplication No. PCT/IL2017/050402 claims priority from European PatentApplications 17155046.0, filed Feb. 7, 2017, 16187618.0 filed Sep. 7,2016, 16176635.7, filed Jun. 28, 2016, and 16163666.7, filed Apr. 4,2016. The disclosure of each of these referenced applications isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF USE

The present disclosure relates to inhalers for delivering substances tothe respiratory system of a user and in particular to inhalers whichdeliver the substance in the form of an aerosol of droplets.

BACKGROUND

An inhaler is a medical device used for delivering substance (e.g.medication) into the body via the lungs.

Several types of inhalers are known in the art. The most common type ofinhaler is the pressurized metered-dose inhaler (MDI). In MDIs,medication is typically stored in solution in a pressurized canisterthat contains a propellant, although it may also be a suspension. TheMDI canister is attached to a plastic, hand-operated actuator. Onactivation, the metered-dose inhaler releases a fixed dose of medicationin aerosol form. The aerosolized medication is drawn into the lungs bycontinuing to inhale deeply before holding the breath for few seconds toallow the aerosol to settle onto the airways of the lung. Another typeis the dry powder inhaler that releases a metered or device-measureddose of powdered medication that is inhaled through the device. Anebulizer is a further type of inhaler that typically supplies themedication as an aerosol created from an aqueous formulation. One of theissues addressed by the present invention is the provisioning of a novelinhaler which, among others, allows a user to inhale nicotine, byovercoming various problems associated with smoking cigarettes orsmoking e-cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is associated with combustion oftobacco as well as other compounds, which generate up to 5000 differentcombustion products and are known to be the major cause for differentdiseases including chronical obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD),cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It is the combustion that createsharmful and potentially harmful chemical compounds.

In the last decade, a new way of nicotine consumption has started togain popularity, the so-called e-cigarettes or Electronic NicotineDelivery System (ENDS).

In an e-cigarette or ENDS in general, a liquid composition containingnicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine and flavorings, isevaporated by means of heating a coil surrounding a wick. The wick is afabric (usually cotton) through which liquid is drawn by capillarity.When the coil (being an electrical resistance) surrounding the wick isconnected to power source, it heats the liquid to temperatures of up toabout 300° C., thereby causing the vaporization of the liquid containedin the wick, and the user then inhales this vapour.

Although an e-cigarette or ENDS has recently been recognized as being asafer alternative to a tobacco cigarette (e.g. Public Health Englandrecognising that e-cigarettes are 95% less risky than combustibletobacco), there are still different disadvantages linked with the use ofe-cigarettes.

Due to the fact that the liquid composition is being vaporized, tracesof toxic or potentially toxic compounds might still be produced when ane-cigarette is used, through various heat-induced chemical reactions.The vapor can contain toxicants and traces of heavy metals (at levelspermissible in inhalation medicines), and potentially harmful chemicalsnot found in tobacco smoke. To a lesser extent, some materials used ine-cigarettes (metals and plastics) may generate additional harmfulchemical compounds when the temperature is elevated.

SUMMARY

The disclosure may be summarized by referring to the appended claims.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution thatovercomes the drawbacks of the prior art devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device fornicotine and/or nicotine replacement which does not lead to generationof toxic or potentially toxic compounds and which nevertheless willgenerate droplets with a size suitable for penetrating deeply into thelung.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device wherethe traditional heat-based coil is replaced by a mesh type nebulizerwhich does not only suppresses all heat induced chemical reactions inthe liquid, but also delivers an aerosol with measurable, small andpossibly controlled droplet size, which in turn allows targeted deliverythat is particularly suited for the use in oral drug delivery.

Other objects of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description and the disclosure may be summarized by referringto the appended claims.

According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a mobile inhaler, comprising:

-   -   a mouthpiece comprising at least one inhaling opening;    -   a body element connected to the mouthpiece and comprising a        housing for holding a DC power source (e.g. a battery);    -   a power conversion unit comprising an inverter operative to        convert a DC voltage provided by a DC power source, into a        higher AC voltage;    -   a nebulizer comprising an ultrasonic vibrator and a mesh,        wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is activated by the AC voltage,        and wherein the nebulizer enables converting at least part of a        liquid composition comprised in an enclosure into aerosol        droplets, which are directly inhaled from the mouthpiece; and    -   an enclosure adapted to enable holding a liquid composition,        characterized in that it provides a connection to enable fluid        transfer from the enclosure to the nebulizer.

The present invention relates to a body element that is connected to themouthpiece. It should be understood that the term “connected” as usedherein, encompasses both a case where the body element and themouthpiece are two distinct parts which are connected or connectable toeach other, as well as a case where the body element and the mouthpieceare two portions of a single integral element.

Replacing the traditional heating element (e.g. a coil) by a mesh typenebulizer not only suppresses heat induced chemical reactions associatedwith the liquid composition, but also delivers an aerosol withmeasurable, small droplet size, which in turn allows delivery of thesubstance comprised in the droplets, deep in the lung.

In accordance with another embodiment, the enclosure of the mobileinhaler includes a mechanism that enables fluid transfer from theenclosure to the nebulizer, irrespective of a spatial angle at which themobile inhaler is being hand-held.

According to a further embodiment, the liquid composition comprised inthe mobile inhaler enclosure is in a contact with a wick.

In accordance with another embodiment, the wick is in a contact with thenebulizer mesh, thereby preventing direct contact between the mesh andthe liquid composition comprised within the mobile inhaler's enclosure.

According to still another embodiment, the mobile inhaler is configuredto enable inhaling aerosol droplets derived from over 60% of an initialvolume of the liquid composition held within the mobile inhaler'senclosure.

According to another embodiment, the mouthpiece is detachably connectedto the body element. Optionally, the nebulizer is comprised within themouthpiece. This option has the advantage that, since the mouthpiece andthe nebulizer may need to be replaced from time to time, the mouthpiecefor hygienic reasons, and the mesh if a large enough number of its holesare clogged, a replacement of the mouthpiece and the nebulizer can occurin a single step. In addition, this embodiment eliminates the need tohandle separately the relatively small nebulizer.

In accordance with another embodiment, the mesh is fixedly positioned inthe mobile inhaler, and the ultrasonic vibrator enables conveying liquidheld in the enclosure towards the mesh (i.e. a passive mesh).

The nebulizer having a passive mesh, preferably comprises a transducerhorn connected to a piezo-electric ultrasound vibrator. The transducerhorn has preferably a longitudinal round cross-section and in particulara longitudinal cross section profile that converges towards its freevibrating end. The free vibrating end face of the transducer preferablyhas the same shape of the mesh. In particular, the diameter of the freevibrating end face of the transducer horn corresponds to the diameter ofa round shaped mesh. In addition, the transducer horn is preferablylocated in the body element of the mobile inhaler and the mesh isattached to a container that is detachably associated with the mobileinhaler.

The passive mesh is preferably made of a metal sheet. Alternatively, theplate may be made of a plastic material or of a fabric.

Preferably the mesh is attached to that container at the lower end ofthe inhaling channel which is located adjacent to the transducer hornwhen the inhaler is assembled.

By another embodiment, the mesh comprised in the nebulizer is operableby activating the ultrasonic vibrator (i.e. an active mesh).

In accordance with another embodiment, the active mesh comprises aplurality of openings and a dome-shaped portion. Optionally, one or moreof the plurality of openings are tapered openings. The tapering ispositioned in the flow direction of the liquid composition. That meansthat according to this option, the opening cross section where dropletsare generated is smaller than the opening cross section where the liquidcomposition is provided.

A nebulizer having an active mesh may include a vibrating plate attachedto the ultrasonic vibrator (e.g. a piezo-electric vibration generator)such that the vibrating plate is vibrated when the ultrasonic vibratoris activated.

According to another embodiment, the active mesh is preferably adaptedto be vibrated at the resonance frequency of the nebulizer. Morepreferably to be vibrated at a frequency of up to 250 KHz.

By still another embodiment, the mesh comprises a plurality of openings,and wherein at least two of the openings included among the plurality ofopenings, are different from each other (e.g. having at least onedimension which is different from each other).

Additionally, the dome-shaped portion of the active mesh may be arrangedsuch that the convex side of a vibrating plate is arranged on the sideof the inhaling opening of the mouthpiece.

The mesh may have openings with a diameter between 700 and 8000nanometres, preferably, between 2500 and 3000 nanometres. In addition,as described above the mesh may have openings with different diameters,thereby enabling formation of different droplet sizes by using the samemesh plate.

The active mesh is preferably made of a metal sheet. Alternatively, theplate may be made of a plastic material or of a fabric.

According to a further embodiment, the mobile inhaler further comprisesan electrical circuit for increasing AC voltage provided to theultrasonic vibrator. Optionally, the electrical circuit enablescontrolling an amount of liquid converted into aerosol droplets, bychanging the level of the AC voltage provided. For example, by changingthe voltage provided to the ultrasonic vibrator, the amplitude of thevibrations of the mesh is changed and consequently the nebulizer outputis controlled, i.e. the amount of aerosol droplets nebulized within agiven time interval.

The DC voltage of the power source is a power that can be provided byusing one or more batteries (e.g. 3.7V) and is converted into a higherAC voltage (e.g. between 75 and 200 Vpp with a frequency between 100 kHzand 200 kHz).

Since the power source is likely to be subjected to a voltage drop overtime when a battery is used, optionally, a voltage controller may beused in order to maintain the voltage delivered by the power source tobe essentially constant over time, e.g. within a 5% tolerance range.

According to another embodiment, the electrical circuit comprises aresonant circuit.

By still another embodiment, the electrical circuit comprises aphase-locked loop (PLL). In case that the nebulizer is operated at itsresonance frequency, the use of the PLL has an advantage that it is ableto maintain the nebulizer in resonance even if there is a resonancefrequency shift due e.g. to the liquid characteristics, wear or cloggingof the nebulizer.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the mobile inhaler alsocomprises a vacuum sensor configured to affect the operation of themobile inhaler. For example, the vacuum sensor may control the amount ofaerosol being inhaled by a user of that mobile inhaler. Also, the amountof liquid composition converted into aerosol droplets may depend on thevacuum level at the mobile inhaler.

The vacuum sensor may be connected or connectable to a control unit ofthe mobile inhaler for activating the nebulizer upon using the mobileinhaler, i.e. upon inhalation through the mouthpiece by a user.

According to an embodiment, while the mobile inhaler is used, a usergenerates a vacuum through inhaling from the mouthpiece. With a vacuumsensor, the nebulizer of the inhaler is automatically activated. Byfollowing this embodiment, there is no need for the user to turn on thenebulizer by taking a further action, such as e.g. pressing a button.Further, as the nebulizer is only activated upon inhaling, battery isnot wasted as the nebulizer is only operated when a user is inhaling.

According to an embodiment, the control unit is configured to activatethe nebulizer depending on a pressure difference detected by the vacuumsensor, in order to correlate the nebulizer aerosol output with thepressure difference. Thus, in the case where the substance used isnicotine or an agent for a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), the useris provided with a realistic smoking feeling, comparable to the feelingof smoking a real cigarette since the nebulizer aerosol output isadapted to the inhalation intensity.

According to still another embodiment, the mobile inhaler furthercomprises a heating means adapted to enable increasing aerosoltemperature prior to its egress via the mouthpiece. The heating meansmay be configured to ensure that the inhaled aerosol is heated up to apredetermined temperature, while ensuring that no change occurs in the10 chemical properties of the substance being inhaled. The predeterminedtemperature is less than 100° C., and preferably it is one that iscomfortable for the user body, e.g. 37° C.±4° C.

In addition or optionally, the heating means are adapted to heat theliquid composition included in the container, prior to having itnebulized.

The heating means may be for example a heating coil or an electricpowered heat exchanger.

By yet a further embodiment, the mouthpiece is movable between a restposition and a use position, wherein in the rest position, themouthpiece is at least partially accommodated into the body element.

In accordance with another embodiment, the mobile inhaler furthercomprises a communication interface for transferring and/or receivinginformation between the mobile inhaler and a remote electronic device.The communication interface may be the same interface as the one usedfor charging (e.g. a micro USB port) if applicable, or may be aninterface that allows communications over a wireless connectionoperative in compliance with a communication standard such as Wi-Fi orBluetooth.

The information exchanged between the mobile inhaler and the remoteelectronic device, may typically relate to the consumption of the liquidcomposition by the user. However, it may also be used for remoteprogramming of a control unit of the mobile inhaler in any one ofvarious cases. Examples are: to ensure that a user only inhales apre-defined amount of the agent/compound comprised in the liquidcomposition during a given time interval, monitoring the user (patient)compliance with a pre-defined therapeutic regime, etc.

According to still another embodiment, the mobile inhaler furthercomprises audio and/or visual means for providing information to a userof the mobile inhaler. This information may be a low battery indicationalerting the user that a power source should be recharged or replaced.Such a low battery indication may optionally be in a form of causing thenebulizer to reduce the aerosol output, e.g. by reducing the amplitudeof the vibration of the nebulizer mesh. Additionally, or in thealternative, a low battery indication may be in the form of a LED beinglighted, a sound may be generated and/or vibrations may be generated.

Other indications that may be provided when the audio and/or visualmeans operate are for example a low level of the container contentand/or liquid level, operational problems that relate to the mobileinhaler, etc.

According to another embodiment, the mobile inhaler further compriseslocking means to prevent unauthorized use of the mobile inhaler. Forexample, preventing children from using the mobile inhaler, or inhalinga medicinal composition by users other than the user for whom themedicinal composition was intended, etc.

The locking means may be for example a user identification device, suchas s fingerprint reader. In the alternative, the locking means maycomprise a switch that should be twisted while simultaneously inhaling,in order to enable operation of the device.

By yet another embodiment, the liquid is comprised in a container (e.g.a capsule) which is detachably associated with (e.g. insertable into)the enclosure of the mobile inhaler. One option of carrying out thisembodiment is by using a body element which is detachably connected tothe mouthpiece, to allow easier opening and closing of the housing (theenclosure) and replacement of the container.

As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the enclosure of themobile inhaler may be such that it may be configured to hold the liquidcomposition either directly by enabling the addition of the liquidcomposition to a pre-defined volume comprised within the enclosure, orindirectly by holding a container (e.g. a capsule) in which the liquidcomposition is comprised.

By yet another embodiment, the container is located at least partiallyinside the mouthpiece and is disposable. For example, the mouthpiece maybe such that the major part of the container (over 50% of its volume) isplaced within the mouthpiece. In the alternative, the container iscompletely placed inside the mouthpiece.

The at least one inhaling opening of the mouthpiece is designed fordirecting an aerosol flow preferably towards the palate and/or thetongue of a user, in order to increase the sensory experience. Themouthpiece may be designed in a shape and size that are selected so asto allow mouth-only inhalation. The mouthpiece has preferably a totalinhaling opening area between 50% and 300% of the area of the mesh whichis provided with openings. The area of the mesh provided with openingsis meant in the context of the present invention as the smallest area ofa surface which can enclose all the openings of the mesh.

According to a further embodiment, the nebulizer mesh is comprised inthe container.

According to another embodiment, the mobile inhaler further comprises aresilient means operative to enable biasing the container and/or thenebulizer towards each other. Preferably, the container is biasedtowards the nebulizer. Biasing may be achieved by using a springarranged in order to push the container and/or the nebulizer towardseach other.

By yet another embodiment, the container (which is detachably associatedwith the enclosure) or the enclosure itself, includes a piston. Thisembodiment may be used for example in order allow continuous supply ofliquid to the mesh.

In accordance with still another embodiment, the mobile inhaler furthercomprises a communication interface for receiving information stored inthe container which is detachably associated with the mobile inhaler.

According to another embodiment, the mobile inhaler further comprisesone or more additional enclosures for holding at least one additionalliquid, or for holding at least one additional container comprising atleast one additional liquid. Obviously, depending on the user's needs,the mobile inhaler may contain three or more containers.

One possible substance that may be comprised in an additional containeris a substance for discharging a required aroma.

Optionally, a second container which is adapted to be held by the secondenclosure, may comprise a mesh type nebulizer, for nebulizing the secondliquid.

Optionally, the mobile inhaler may further comprise a vaporizeroperative to vaporize one or more of the at least one additional liquid.One way to implement this embodiment is when a nebulizer associated witha second enclosure/container is a heating coil vaporizer for vaporizingthe liquid comprised in the second enclosure/container. Alternatively,the second enclosure/container includes a heating coil vaporizer forvaporizing the liquid comprised therein. A further alternative is usinga spray nozzle as the second nebulizer, when the second containercomprises the second liquid and a propellant gas.

It should be noted that the first and the second nebulizers may beoperated simultaneously and/or in sequence and/or independently, inaccordance with the inhalation requirements.

According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece of a mobile inhalercomprising at least two nebulizers is provided with two inhalingchannels, each having an inhaling opening, each of the inhaling channelsbeing assigned to one of the first and second enclosures such thatmixing of the aerosol from the first enclosure with the aerosol orvapour of the second enclosure happens in the user's mouth.

By still another embodiment, the mobile inhaler of further comprises acontrol unit adapted to control the operation of the mobile inhaler. Thecontrol unit may be configured for example to control operation of saidmobile inhaler in accordance with a predefined medication provisioningscheme.

Optionally, the control unit is adapted to control the voltage and/orfrequency of the current provided to the nebulizer.

In addition, the control unit may optionally comprise means to enableretrieving information stored at a container which is detachablyassociated with the mobile inhaler. The retrieval of the information maybe done over RFID or an optical readable code or an electronic memory(e.g. as in a credit card) associated with the capsule. This informationmay relate to the content of the container (e.g. substance,concentration, liquid amount, etc.) and is used by the control unit tooperate the inhaler. As an example, if a daily dose limit ispre-determined for a user, the control unit may be used to establish ifthe dose limit has been already reached by evaluating the consumption ofthe solute comprised in the liquid composition.

The information exchanged may also include instruction(s) for the userthat relate to the liquid composition included in the container. Suchinformation may include the type of liquid composition (e.g. type ofmedicine), dose and a consumption pattern to be applied. Once theinformation is retrieved from the container by the mobile inhaler, itmay be self-programmed in order to comply with the way by which themobile inhaler should operate in accordance with that information.

Optionally, the control unit may be configured not only to control theoperation of the mobile inhaler (e.g. triggering the nebulizer,forwarding data to a remote device, reading information associated withthe capsule), but also as a device that can be used for planning theusage of the mobile inhaler (e.g. frequency and intensity of inhaling),and may trigger generating alerts on the mobile inhaler and/or at otherremote devices (e.g. a mobile phone, PDA) in order to alert the userthat it is time for him/her to use the mobile inhaler, and/or to informthe user that the capsule (container) content is about to be consumedand that a new capsule should be inserted, and/or that his/her use ofthe inhaler is too frequent, etc.

In addition, the control unit may be configured to enable provisioningof power for operating the nebulizer for a pre-defined period of time.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided acontainer (e.g. a capsule) for use by an inhaler (i.e. the user of theinhaler), wherein the container comprises a liquid composition thatincludes a physiological solution and at least one solute (e.g. asupplement).

Thus, such a container is receptacle of a housing associated with theinhaler, for example, a housing which is associated with a mouthpiece ofthe inhaler.

In accordance with another embodiment of this aspect of the invention,the container further comprises an electronic storage configured tostore data that relates to at least one member of the group thatconsists of: information that relates to the liquid composition heldwithin the container, information that relates to a user that is aboutto consume the liquid composition being held within the container,instructions that relate to consumption of the liquid composition beingheld within the container, any combination thereof, and the like.

By still another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the liquidcomposition comprised in the container includes at least 80% water, forexample at least 92% water.

According to another embodiment, the physiological solution is a normalsaline solution containing about 0.9% w/v NaCl.

According to yet another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, theat least one solute is a member selected from a group that consists of:nicotine, a compound suitable for nicotine replacement therapy, aproduct obtained by filtering a liquid through tobacco, a medicinaldrug, an aroma agent, a surfactant, a viscosity enhancer, an agentoperative to dilate respiratory airways of a user of the inhaler, andany combination thereof.

In case that the at least one solute is an aroma agent, the content ofthe aroma agent in liquid composition should preferably be less than orequal to about 2% w/w.

In case that the at least one solute is a surfactant, it is preferablyselected from a group that consists of: anionic surfactants, non-ionicsurfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric or zwitterionicsurfactants, polymeric surfactants or surface active polymers.Preferably, the surfactant content is not higher than 1% w/w of theliquid composition.

In case that the at least one solute is a viscosity enhancer,preferably, its content is not higher than 1% w/w of the liquidcomposition. Such a viscosity enhancer may be for example fructose.

By balancing the content of components of the liquid composition, inparticular the viscosity enhancer and the electrolyte, compositions withdifferent characteristics and properties may be provided. For example,it is possible to decrease the visible aerosol that is exhaled by auser, thus making the composition suitable for use in enclosed spaces(offices, public transport, restaurants, airplanes, etc.) where normalsmoking is usually prohibited.

In a case where the at least one solute is a medicinal drug, it may be apain killer, medical cannabis, an antibiotic, and the like, or anycombination thereof. Using an inhaler for inhaling a drug has theadvantage that when the liquid composition is inhaled, the drug is fastabsorbed by the blood in the lungs and other body parts, thus improvingthe pharmacokinetics properties of the drug(s) compared inter alia to anoral intake of the same drug(s).

In accordance with another embodiment, the container further comprises awick and wherein the wick is at least partially soaked in the liquidcomposition comprised in the container.

By still a further embodiment, the container comprises a first cavityfor holding that liquid composition, and at least one other cavity forholding one or more different materials.

The container may be included within the mobile inhaler as well as avibration generator (e.g. a piezo-electric vibration generator)connected to an electrical conduit, in order to have a ready-to-usemobile inhaler. A complete vibrating mesh type nebulizer is thereforepart of such a container. By making vibration generator part of thecontainer, it is used with one container only. Thus, the risk of havinga broken or a malfunctioning vibration generator, is substantiallyreduced. Yet, in case the vibration generator does not functionproperly, the container can easily be replaced with an operativeinhaler.

Also, the mesh may be provided as a part of the container and noadditional vibrating plate is required at the mobile inhaler side. Byproviding a mesh plate of a nebulizer with the container, it can beassured that the mesh is properly associated with the container.Consequently, a reliable production of aerosols can be assured. Further,by using a mesh plate only for the liquid which is comprised in that onecontainer, the risk of having a clogged plate is reduced as the platewould be used only for a limited number of times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1—is a schematic exploded sectional view of an inhaler according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A—is a top view of the nebulizer of the FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B—is a side view of the nebulizer of the FIG. 1;

FIG. 3—is a schematic sectional view of a container according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4—is a schematic sectional view of an alternative containeraccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5—is a simplified sectional view of a mouthpiece with a heatingcoil;

FIG. 6—is a schematic sectional view of an inhaler according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7—is a schematic sectional view of an inhaler according to afurther embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8—is a schematic sectional view of still another embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 9—is a schematic view illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention, where the mobile inhaler is a single integral device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this disclosure, the term “comprising” is intended to have anopen-ended meaning so that when a first element is stated as comprisinga second element, the first element may also include one or more otherelements that are not necessarily identified or described herein, orrecited in the claims.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a betterunderstanding of the present disclosure by way of examples. It should beapparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details.

As a general remark, it is noted that for sake of clarity, in thepresent description and the drawings, the same reference numerals areused for corresponding elements of different embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a mobile inhaler construedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile inhalercomprises a mouthpiece 1 and a body element 2 which, when joinedtogether form an elongated housing. The housing exemplified herein is inthe shape of an e-cigarette with a substantially cylindrical shape.

Mouthpiece 1 and body element 2 according to this embodiment are screwedtogether. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 1 and the element 2 may beattached together through magnets or a bayonet mount to assemble aninhaler, or by implementing any other method known in the art per se.

Nebulizer 3 is arranged inside the mouthpiece 2 and is described in moredetails hereinafter when referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Liquid container 4 is arranged, when the mouthpiece 1 and the bodyelement are assembled to form the mobile inhaler, in a receptacle 5 ofthe mouthpiece 1 and/or body element 2. The container 4 is described inmore details hereinafter when describing FIGS. 4 and 5.

In body element 2 there are arranged a power conversion circuit 6, avacuum sensor 7, a control unit 8, a battery 9, a charging circuit 10and a charging port 11.

In this embodiment, the nebulizer 3 is arranged in the mouthpiece 1adjacent to inhaling opening 12 of mouthpiece 1. An inhaling channel 13is schematically indicated by the dotted lines.

Nebulizer 3 is shown in more details in the FIGS. 2A and 2B. Thenebulizer 3 is of the active mesh type and comprises a vibrating plate14 in a shape of a disc. Mesh plate 14 has a central, dome-shapedcircular region 15 provided with a plurality of openings. Mesh plate 14is attached to a lower side of an annular piezo-electric vibrationgenerator 17, wherein the dome-shaped region is aligned with the centralhole of the vibration generator 17. Power supply cables 18 are connectedwith the vibration generator 17 and, upon assembly of the mouthpiece 1with the body element 2, provide a connection with the power conversionunit 6 arranged in the body element 2.

The vibrating plate 14 is provided with 1,900 openings, each having anegress diameter of between 2.0 μm and 3.0 μm, wherein the dome-shapedregion 15 has a diameter of about 4 mm.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an embodiment of the presentinvention of container 4.

Container 4 comprises a body 19 defining a cavity with an aperture 21.In this cavity, wick 22 (made for example of Japanese cotton orpolymeric fibres) is arranged. The wick 22 extends over substantiallythe whole length of the body 19 from aperture 21 to the bottom of thebody 19, which is closed by a plug 23. The wick 22 itself forms a cavityand a support structure 24 is arranged in the cavity 20 for supportingwick 22. The support structure is preferably made of a polymer e.g.polycarbonate or nylon. Such an arrangement allows using the mobileinhaler where the container is comprised, irrespective of the spatialangle at which the mobile inhaler is held.

The cavity can be filled with a liquid to be inhaled. For filling thecavity, plug 23 and a spring 25 are removed or not yet assembledrespectively. After the liquid is inserted into the cavity, it issealingly closed with plug 23. The plug 23 is attached to the body 19through a snap-fit. The spring 25 therefore biases the support structure24 and the wick 22 towards aperture 21.

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically an alternative container 4 according toanother embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of FIG. 4 is similarto the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 but comprises a piston 26instead of an extended wick 22 (and a support structure 24).

Spring 25 is arranged between the piston 26 and the plug 23. After thecavity 20 is filled with liquid (not shown), piston 26 is inserted intothe cavity and the cavity is then closed with the plug 23. The spring 25biases the piston 26 towards the aperture 21.

In both embodiments, aperture 21 may be further closed by using amembrane (not shown) for sealing the container, which membrane may bepeeled off by a user before inserting container 4 into the mobileinhaler, or perforated or otherwise removed/damaged (e.g. while closingthe device or as a result of inserting the container in the mobileinhaler's enclosure, and the like) in order to assure a fluid connectionbetween the content of container 4 and nebulizer 3.

When the inhaler is assembled with a container (a capsule) locatedinside the receptacle of the mouthpiece 1 and the body element 2,aperture 21 is located adjacent to nebulizer 3, more precisely, adjacentto the nebulizer mesh.

Wick 22 is soaked with the liquid and ensures that the vibrating meshplate 14 and in particular the dome-shaped region 15 is in fluidconnection with the content of container 4. In the case of container 4of FIG. 3, spring 25 ensures that wick 22 is pushed towards vibratingplate 14. In the case of container 4 of FIG. 4, the piston assemblyensures, over the spring 25 that nebulizer 3 is always provided withliquid. In both cases vibrating plate (mesh) 14 can produce an aerosolirrespective of the spatial orientation of the mobile inhaler.

When the inhaler is assembled and a user starts inhaling throughinhaling opening 12 of mouthpiece 1, the pressure inside the housingdecreases. This pressure decrease is detected by vacuum sensor 7 andcommunicated to control unit 8, which in turn activates nebulizer 3 fora given time interval, and/or as long as the pressure within the housingis less than the atmospheric pressure. Air from the environment mayenter the housing over charging port 11 or special made holes, in orderto compensate the pressure decrease. Container 4, power control circuit6, vacuum sensor 7, control unit 8, battery 9 and charging circuit 10are arranged within the housing such that air can flow past them fromcharging port 11 to the inhaling opening 12.

Due to the air flow passing by nebulizer 3, the aerosol produced bynebulizer 3 is inhaled by the user through the inhaling channel 12 andthe inhaling opening 13.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a mouthpiece 1 thatcomprises a heating coil 27. The heating coil 27 is schematically shownbeing able to heat the aerosol produced by a nebulizer 3 flowing throughthe inhaling channel 13. When the inhaler is assembled, the heating coil27 is connected with a power source and control unit 8, and is onlyactivated when a user is inhaling the aerosol. Heating coil 27 isconfigured to ensure that the aerosol which eventually be inhaled by theuser, is heated up to a predetermined temperature, while ensuring thatno change occurs in the chemical properties of the substance beinginhaled. The predetermined temperature is less than 100° C., andpreferably it is one that is comfortable for the user body, e.g. 37°C.±4° C.

Another embodiment of the present invention of a mobile inhaler isschematically presented in FIG. 6.

The mobile inhaler comprises a mouthpiece 1 having an inhaling opening12 which is slidably arranged in a body element 2 between a restposition (not shown) and an inhaling position. The body element isdesigned as a handheld device that can be easily held in a user's hand.

The inhaler also comprises two receptacles 5 and 5′, each for arespective container 4 and 4′ containing a liquid drug solution.

Each of the containers 4 is in fluid connection with respectivenebulizers 3 and 3′ of the active mesh type as described above and shownin FIGS. 2A and 2B. The nebulizers 3 and 3′ are arranged between therespective container 4 and 4′ and mouthpiece 1. An inhaling channel 13connects the flow paths of the two nebulizers 3 and 3′ and leads to aninhaling opening 12 of mouthpiece 1.

The inhaler also comprises a power conversion circuit 6, a vacuum sensor7, a control unit 8, a battery 9, a charging circuit 10 and a chargingport 11.

The inhaler of this example further comprises a communication unit 28, aspeaker 29 and a display 30, being in data communication with controlunit 8.

The inhaler is generally operated as explained hereinabove with respectto the mobile inhaler of the FIG. 1, but may be more suitable for theinhalation of different drugs according to a predefined medicationscheme.

Communication unit 28 enables communication of different data betweenthe mobile inhaler and a remote device.

A possible mode of operation of the mobile inhaler will now bedescribed. Since the principle of operation is similar, the inventionwill be described with reference to container 4. However, it should beunderstood that the same also applies to the use of container 4′ mutatismutandis, as well as for enclosures which do not have a detachablecontainer comprised therein (i.e. in cases where liquid is inserteddirectly to the enclosure).

First, container 4 is inserted into the inhaler. The container 4contains information about the content of the container, concentrationof the drug, etc. This information is transmitted to the mobile inhalerby means of e.g. an RFID system (not shown) or a barcode (not shown) oran electronic storage (e.g. as in a credit card) and is stored in amemory of the mobile inhaler.

A health professional such as a physician or a pharmacist can thenprogram the predefined medication scheme into the mobile inhaler viacommunication unit 28. In addition, progress reports and updates may besent to the user's physician and/or insurance company.

In this example, let us assume that the medication scheme comprises twoscheduled inhalations of a predetermined dose of the drug during the dayat predefined times (e.g. 8 AM and 8 PM).

When control unit 8 detects that the scheduled inhalation should beperformed, it triggers an alert for the user, so that by hearing a toneemitted by speaker 29, the user becomes aware that it is time forhim/her to carry out the inhalation procedure.

As soon as mouthpiece 1 is moved from its rest position to the inhalingposition, the mobile inhaler is activated from a standby mode and isready for operation.

The user then starts inhaling and, as described above with respect tothe inhaler of FIG. 1, nebulizer 3 is triggered by control unit 8 toemit a predefined quantity of aerosol. The quantity of aerosol producedby nebulizer 3 is calculated by the control unit 8 such that thepredefined drug dose is inhaled. After the predefined dose of the drughas been inhaled, speaker 29 emits a tone, notifying the user that hemay stop inhaling.

The user then slides the mouthpiece 1 back to the rest position andconsequently the device enters a standby mode.

Data which relates to the inhalation procedure that took place, such asinhaling time, inhaled quantity, etc. is then stored in the memory ofthe mobile inhaler and is then transmitted (at some stage) viacommunication unit 28 to a remote device. Thus, it is possible for thephysician either in real-time or by checking the stored data during thepatient visit, to check whether the patient has been following themedication scheme prescribed or not. In addition, the concern ofoverdosing or wrong dosing of the drug can be eliminated since it is notpossible for a user to inhale two times a dose within a period of timeshorter than the one determined for him/her.

This procedure is then repeated every day at 8 AM and 8 PM, as long asthe predefined medication scheme has not been terminated.

Moreover, it should be understood that carrying out a mixed medicationscheme of administering a first drug contained in container 4 and asecond drug contained in the container 4′, is also possible.Furthermore, both drugs may be inhaled simultaneously, where eachnebulizer 3 and 3′ is triggered independently in order to deliver thepredetermined drug dose.

Display 30 may be used to provide the user with different informationsuch as the status of the mobile inhaler, battery level, countdown untilthe next inhalation is due, etc.

The inhaler illustrated in the FIG. 7 is similar to the inhaler shown inFIG. 6 with the exception that capsule 4′ is of a different type asnebulizer 3′ is of the heating coil type. One optional way ofimplementing this example is when container 4 comprises nicotinesolution, and container 4′ comprises aroma agent. By vaporizing thearoma agent comprised in container 4′, the vapours thus obtained may beinhaled together with the nicotine containing aerosol derived fromcontainer 4, and consequently the user is subjected to an improvedexperience due to this combination.

In FIG. 8 another embodiment of a mobile inhaler construed according tothe present invention, is illustrated.

The mobile inhaler comprises a mouthpiece 1 and a body element 2 which,when joined together form an elongated housing. The housing ispreferably in the shape of a pipe and is shown schematically in FIG. 8by the bend shape.

Mouthpiece 1 and body element 2 are screwed together. Alternatively,mouthpiece 1 and element 2 may be attached together through magnets or abayonet mount to assemble the mobile inhaler.

A liquid container 4 is inserted, when mouthpiece 1 and body element areassembled to form the mobile inhaler, in a receptacle 5 of mouthpiece 1.

In body element 2 there are also arranged a power conversion circuit 6,a vacuum sensor 7, a control unit 8, a battery 9, a charging circuit 10and a charging port 11.

Nebulizer 3 of this example is of the passive mesh type and comprises atransducer horn 31 attached to a piezo-electric vibration generatorlocated within the body element 2, while mesh 14 with a plurality ofopenings is attached to the container 4 at the end of the container,located near the tip of transducer horn 31 when the mobile inhaler isassembled. Mesh 14 is therefore disposable with the container 4.

Perforation spikes 32 may optionally be located adjacent to transducerhorn 31 such that, when mouthpiece 1 is connected to body element 2, aconnection part of container 4 is perforated by perforation spikes 32.The liquid contained in container 4 can therefore fill the space locatedbetween transducer horn 31 and mesh plate 14. Since the mobile inhaleris designed as a pipe and is used with container 4 being in a tiltedposition, liquid contained in container 4 is always provided totransducer horn 31 when the inhaler is operative.

Container 4 is designed with a ring shaped cross section such that anaerosol channel 34 extending throughout the whole length of thecontainer 4 is formed. The mesh plate 14 is arranged at the end ofcontainer 4 not facing the inhaling channel 13 and the inhaling opening12, and is aligned with the aerosol channel of container 4. The aerosolchannel is connected to inhaling channel 13 of mouthpiece 1 leading toinhaling opening 12.

When the mobile inhaler is activated by inhaling as described above withrespect to other embodiments of the present invention, the aerosolgenerated by nebulizer 3 may flow with air coming from air inlets (notshown) through the aerosol channel 34 and the inhaling channel 13, tothe mouth of a user.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of a mobile inhaler construedaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the mobile inhaler comprises amouthpiece 1 and a body element 2 which, when joined together form anelongated housing, the mobile inhaler illustrated in FIG. 9 comprises asingle piece that comprises both mouthpiece 1 and body element 2.

Nebulizer 3 which comprises mesh plate 14 and ultrasonic vibrationgenerator 17 is located at upper part of body element 2 (locationindicated by numeral 25) of the mobile inhaler, and liquid container 4is detachably insertable into a suitable housing of body element 2.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forassessing the reader in understanding the principles of the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare to be construed as being without limitation to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements hereinreciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as wellas specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structuraland functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended thatsuch equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well asequivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed thatperform the same function, regardless of structure.

A person skilled in the art will readily note that other embodiments ofthe disclosure may be achieved without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. All such embodiments are included herein. The scope of thedisclosure should be limited solely by the claims thereto.

In the description and claims of the present application, each of theverbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are usedto indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily acomplete listing of members, components, elements or parts of thesubject or subjects of the verb.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile inhaler, comprising: a mouthpiececomprising at least one inhaling opening; a body element connected tothe mouthpiece and comprising a housing for holding a DC power source; apower conversion unit comprising an inverter operative to convert a DCvoltage provided by the DC power source, into a higher AC voltage; and anebulizer comprising an ultrasonic vibrator and a mesh, wherein theultrasonic vibrator is activated by the AC voltage, and wherein thenebulizer is adapted to enable converting into aerosol droplets at leastpart of a liquid comprised in an enclosure, and the aerosol droplets tobe directly inhaled from the mouthpiece, wherein the enclosure isconfigured to enable holding into the mobile inhaler one or morecontainers comprising the liquid, and wherein the one or more containersare located at least partially inside the mouthpiece and are disposable.2. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes amechanism to enable fluid transfer from the enclosure to the nebulizer,irrespective of a spatial angle at which it is being hand-held.
 3. Themobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein the liquid is in a contact with awick.
 4. The mobile inhaler of claim 3, wherein the wick is in a contactwith the mesh and the liquid, thereby preventing direct contact betweenthe mesh and the liquid comprised within the enclosure.
 5. The mobileinhaler of claim 1, wherein the mesh is fixedly positioned in the mobileinhaler, and wherein the ultrasonic vibrator is operative to enableconveying the liquid held in the enclosure towards the mesh.
 6. Themobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprised in the nebulizeris operable by activating the ultrasonic vibrator.
 7. The mobile inhalerof claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises a plurality of openings and adome shaped portion.
 8. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein the meshcomprises a plurality of openings, and wherein the dimensions of atleast two of the openings included in the plurality of openings aredifferent dimensions.
 9. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, furthercomprising an electrical circuit for increasing AC voltage provided tothe ultrasonic vibrator.
 10. The mobile inhaler of claim 9, wherein theelectrical circuit enables controlling an amount of the liquid convertedinto the aerosol droplets, by changing the level of the AC voltageprovided.
 11. The mobile inhaler of claim 9, wherein the electricalcircuit comprises at least one member of the group that consists of aresonant circuit and a phase-locked loop (PLL).
 12. The mobile inhalerof claim 1, further including a vacuum sensor configured to affectoperation of the mobile inhaler.
 13. The mobile inhaler of claim 12,wherein the vacuum sensor controls an amount of aerosol being inhaled bya user of the mobile inhaler.
 14. The mobile inhaler of claim 12,wherein an amount of the liquid converted into the aerosol dropletsdepends on a vacuum level at the mobile inhaler.
 15. The mobile inhalerof claim 1, further comprising a heating means adapted to enableincreasing aerosol temperature prior to its egress via the mouthpiece.16. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is movablebetween a rest position and a use position, wherein in the restposition, the mouthpiece is at least partially accommodated into thebody element.
 17. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, further including acommunication interface for transferring and receiving informationbetween the mobile inhaler and a remote electronic device.
 18. Themobile inhaler of claim 1, further comprising a control unit.
 19. Themobile inhaler of claim 1, further including audio and/or visual meansfor providing information to a user of the mobile inhaler.
 20. Themobile inhaler of claim 1, further comprising locking means to preventunauthorized use of the mobile inhaler.
 21. The mobile inhaler of claim1, further comprising at least one additional enclosure for holding atleast one additional liquid.
 22. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, furthercomprising a vaporizer operative to vaporize one or more of the at leastone additional liquid.
 23. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein themouthpiece is detachably connected to the body element.
 24. The mobileinhaler of claim 1 wherein the nebulizer mesh is comprised within theone or more containers.
 25. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein theenclosure or the one or more containers, which are detachably associatedwith the enclosure, includes a piston.
 26. The mobile inhaler of claim1, further comprising a communication interface for receivinginformation stored in the one or more containers.
 27. The mobile inhalerof claim 1, further comprising a resilient means operative to enablebiasing at least one of the one or more containers and the nebulizertowards each other.
 28. The mobile inhaler of claim 1, wherein theliquid includes a physiologic solution and at least one solute.
 29. Themobile inhaler of claim 28, wherein the at least one solute is a memberselected from a group that consists of: nicotine, a compound suitablefor nicotine replacement therapy, a product obtained by filtering aliquid through tobacco, a medicinal drug, an aroma agent, an agent forreducing surface tension, an agent operative to dilate respiratoryairways of a user of the inhaler.
 30. The mobile inhaler of claim 1,wherein the one or more containers comprise a first cavity for holdingthe liquid, and at least one other cavity for holding one or moredifferent materials.